Several defending champions had major workouts today and Friday as they seek repeats in the Breeders' Cup Nov. 1-2 and Santa Anita, including Wise Dan working a half-mile over Keeneland’s Polytrack in 47 2/5 seconds Friday. The Keeneland clockers caught him galloping out five furlongs in a minute flat.

“Pretty awesome – 11s and 12s all the way,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said of the eighth-mile splits. “He is just as good as last year.” Wise Dan worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 at Keeneland in his last work before winning the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf. The 6-year-old gelding was upset by Silver Max in Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile, which was taken off the turf.

Groupie Doll worked a half-mile in a bullet 46 2/5 seconds Friday at Churchill under exercise rider Jada Schlenk, galloping out five furlongs in a minute and six furlongs in 1:14. Groupie Doll also was upset in her last race before defending her title in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, having finished third in Keeneland’s Thoroughbred Club of America.

“She worked really well,” Bradley said Saturday. “I told Jada that I wanted to get a good work out of her, but she didn’t stick her or anything – just rambled right along. That’s what she did last year…. I wanted to see her energy level and that she was looking to be on her game. And she is on the dirt.”

Also Friday, Will Take Charge, winner of the Travers Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby in his last two starts, worked six furlongs in 1:14 2/5.

Fort Larned, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, went an easy half-mile in 49 seconds Saturday, which trainer Ian Wilkes is using to set up a more serious work Tuesday at Churchill.

At Belmont’s training track Saturday, Kentucky Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar, who upset two-time champion Royal Delta in winning the Beldame in her last start, worked a half-mile in 48.46 seconds, the second-fastest of 44 at the distance. Though owner Ed Stanco has to pay $100,000 to make her eligible, she’s now headed to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Over Belmont’s main track, Royal Delta headed trainer Bill Mott’s Cup delegation, working five-eighths of a mile in a “bullet” 59.69 seconds. Other Mott horses: Jockey Club Gold Cup upset winner Ron the Greek, half-mile in 48.66 for the Classic; last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic third-place finisher Flat Out, five eighths in 1:01.38.

At Santa Anita, Mucho Macho Man worked five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 for the Classic, in which he was second last year.

Silver Max, the Shadwell Turf Mile upset winner, worked a half-mile in a lively 46 4/5 for the Mile on turf. Little Mike worked five furlongs in 1:01.